Computer Hackers Now Targeting Power Plants

Cyber criminals have now started focusing on power plants and other important infrastructure across the globe, with new strategies to seize control of their operations and spread malware. The activity has set off a scramble to support the aging, vulnerable systems, as reported by newser on August 4, 2010.

Cyber criminals have been trying for long, sometimes even succeeded, to break into important power systems and networks. In July, 2010, for the first time, cyber experts discovered a malicious code, called a worm, specially formulated to seize the systems that directed the inner operations of the industrial plants.

The experts said that around 85% of critical US infrastructure were owned and operated by private companies, comprising transportation & manufacturing systems, nuclear & electric power plants and others. Many of the recent attacks had occurred abroad, but the recent incident magnified fear among cyber experts and U.S. officials about the safety of power plants and other amenities in the United States.

The governments and security firms are perking up their capability to answer these types of cyber attacks. For example, the Department of Homeland Security has started forming specialized teams that can immediately respond to such attacks at industrial facilities across the country. These teams are anticipated to work in association with the companies to detect and deal with the malware launched into computers.

Sean McGurk, Director of Control Systems Security for Department of Homeland Security, said that people were acknowledging that the capability to influence industrial control systems had increased, as reported by newser on August 4, 2010.

But even a little delay in halting malicious software can lead to very unpleasant results. People, who faced power failure situation for few days due to weather related outages, are aware of that. It will create a more chaotic situation if a hacker successfully manages to take down a complete power grid, serving millions of people.

The security experts suggest that government should be more active in planning to resolve for cyber warfare executed by foreign nations or terrorist groups - both overseas and domestic. It is recommended that the federal government should work together with the private industry to make security, a top national priority.

Related article: Computer Virus Writers Adopt New Strategy

» SPAMfighter News - 8/13/2010